Arsenal take on Brentford looking to return to second place in the Premier League and close the gap to Liverpool to six points, having played a game more. Every game feels like a must-win with any slip-up sparking questions of whether the title race is even still on.

Mikel Arteta still must contend with the absence of Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling is not quite yet ready, having not been spotted in training. With Chelsea losing there is a chance to take advantage and create more of a buffer with those outside of the race.

Arteta therefore needs to get his selection spot on for the match. Thankfully, football.london’s writers have their suggestions for who they would line up with.

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Tom Canton

It was quite the sight to see the bench against Ipswich, with zero senior forward players among the substitutes. Against Brentford, even still without both Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling, that for me must change.

Bringing Mikel Merino into the midfield, pushing Kai Havertz into the forward line and moving Gabriel Jesus to the wide right. It means that Leandro Trossard can come off the bench should he need to with Ethan Nwaneri also available to offer more threat should it be needed.

Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard complete the midfield, while the only change to the back four is at left-back. Riccardo Calafiori comes in to start with Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber naturally start ahead of David Raya.

Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Brentford: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Merino, Odegaard, Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli

Sam Truelove

This is a game Arsenal must win, in my opinion, and I expect Mikel Arteta to go as strong as possible. David Raya obviously starts in goal, with Gabriel and William Saliba the two centre-backs in front of him.

Jurrien Timber is my pick at right-back while Myles Lewis-Skelly is rewarded for his fine Ipswich display with another start at left-back. Ideally, Riccardo Calafiori will get some minutes on the bench to boost his fitness levels.

After starting on the bench against Ipswich I would start Thomas Partey at the base of the midfield. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are then my picks just in front of the Ghanaian.

With Kai Havertz leading the line, I would play Gabriel Jesus on the right and Gabriel Martinelli on the left. Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri are decent attacking options to have on the bench but hopefully Arteta will not need to rely on them.

Truelove’s Arsenal XI vs Brentford: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli

Josh Holland

Arsenal must take advantage of Chelsea’s slip up at Ipswich and win on New Year’s Day. Brentford won’t be easy but Mikel Arteta’s men should have enough. My only change would be in midfield with a much-needed rest for Declan Rice.

The England international has been superb for Arsenal but with the fear of a possible muscle injury, similar to Bukayo Saka, Arteta may consider giving his anchor a break. Myles Lewis-Skelly deserves to start again and the attack picks itself with the options available.

Victory would move them six points behind Liverpool but defeat would be a huge blow, Arteta can’t afford to make too many changes.

Holland’s Arsenal XI vs Brentford: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Merino, Havertz; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard